Overview

• On July 8, Judge William C. Ryan found that a letter and affidavit present a prima facie case for habeas relief and issued a show-cause order.
• The new evidence includes a purported 1988 letter from Erik Menendez alleging sexual abuse by his father and a sworn affidavit from former Menudo member Roy Rossello.
• Los Angeles County prosecutors must respond within 30 days to challenge the admissibility, timeliness and credibility of the new abuse claims.
• Judge Ryan indicated that failure to rebut the evidence could lead to the brothers’ convictions being vacated even before their August parole hearings.
• After a May resentencing to 50 years to life with parole eligibility, Erik and Lyle Menendez are scheduled for parole hearings on August 21–22, 2025.